Grant County: Lakes, Wildlife and Culture

Grant County in Washington brings together attractions for very different kinds of travel days: the county’s history at the Grant County Historical Society Museum & Village, fishing waters and seasonal waterfowl populations, as well as tasting rooms and events at many wineries. In Moses Lake, public skating, hockey leagues and a free monthly program for all ages add to the options. Nature, culture and scheduled events offer different focal points to help you plan your trip and choose a base.

Lakes, Fishing and Birdlife

Grant County has 85 lakes. Many bodies of water, including Moses Lake, are open for fishing year-round. Fish species found in the county include walleye, trout, bass, sunfish, crappie and catfish. Birdlife brings a different seasonal focus: in the area around Moses Lake, waterfowl numbers peak in autumn at more than 100,000 birds. This comparison can help with planning: while many bodies of water are open for fishing year-round, autumn marks the seasonal peak for the waterfowl numbers mentioned here.

The Columbia Basin Wildlife Area is located in Grant and Adams counties. Its several units along the Big Bend of the Columbia River cover approximately 160,100 acres. The area provides habitat for many wetland species, migratory waterfowl, shorebirds and upland game birds. This means that, alongside the lakes, you can also explore extensive wetlands and the different groups of birds they support.

History and Culture

The Grant County Historical Society Museum & Village preserves, exhibits and publishes the history of Grant County, Washington. The county’s history is therefore a distinct focus alongside its natural attractions. In Moses Lake, the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center hosts a free family activity or special program for all ages once a month. If you’d like to include this program in your trip, check which date fits your stay.

Ice Skating and Wine Events

The Moses Lake Ice Rink is a covered outdoor facility that offers public skating sessions. It also hosts hockey leagues for youth and adults. Public skating and league play are different ways to use the facility; if you plan to skate, check the current session times in advance.

Wine is another part of what Grant County has to offer: many wineries have tasting rooms and calendars of special events, tastings and concerts. If you’re interested in wine, check the individual calendars so you can plan around events during your travel dates.

Choose a Convenient Base

When looking for a vacation rental or vacation home, you can start by deciding on the timing of your trip’s main activities. Autumn is especially relevant for waterfowl numbers in the area around Moses Lake; the museum’s family activity takes place once a month, while skating sessions and wine events are scheduled for specific dates. Then decide which places and experiences you want to shape your stay, and choose your base accordingly.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Moses Lake, Quincy, Ephrata, Electric City.

Return to the parent travel guide: Washington.